Improvement in trusses



R. R. JONES. Trusses.

N0. 197,142. Patented Nov. I3, 1877.

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

ROBERT R. JONES, oEAsHEviLLE, NORTH CAROLINA.

IMPROVEMENT lN TRUSSES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 197,142, dated November13, 1877 application led j August 18,1877.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT RANDOLPH JONES, of Asheville, in the countyof Buncombe and State of North Carolina, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Trusses or Abdominal Supporters, of which thefollowing is a specification:

This invention relates to certain improvements in trusses for thetreatment of rupture or hernia; its obj ectbeing, first, to provide atrusspad that will bear evenly and uniformly against the body, and whichwill give to the .motions of the body with comparatively littlefriction, and which will not tend to work out of place, like theordinary pads, and also tol provide a truss for the treatment of doublerupture, the pads of which can be conveniently adjusted with respect toeach other and to the parts l affected.

My invention consists of a solid pad, preferably of semi-ovoid shape, orapproaching thereto, the convex side of which is provided with a recess,in which is mounted a spring attached to screw-threaded disk, mountedupon 'a screw passing through the rear of the pad,

by means of which the tension of thespring may be regulated. To theouter end of the spring, and supported thereon, is secured a semi-ovoidshell or cup, which bears against the affected part when the truss is inplace. To the rear of the solid pad is attached a metallic strip, bymeans of which two of said pads may be united for the treatment ofdouble rupture, the strips being provided with an adjusting device, bymeans of which the positions of the two may be adjusted relatively toeach other and to the affected parts.

In the drawings, Figure l represents a perspective view of my improvedtruss, and Fig. 2 a rear view of the same.

The letter A represents a solid pad, which may be constructed of wood,cork, or other suitable material. Said pad is constructed preferably ofa semi-ovoid shape, or a shape approaching thereto, and on its convexside is provided with a recess, a, in which is located a spiral spring,B. Said spring is secured to a disk, C, of metal or other suitablematerial, which is provided with a screw-threaded aperture at itscenter, through which passes a setscrew, D, by means of which thetension of the spring may be regulated.

To the opposite end of the spiral spring is secured a semi-ovoid shell,E, with the concave side toward the convex side ofthe pad A, the convexside of said shell being adapted to press against the affected part whenthe truss is in place by the tension of the spring upon which it issupported.

To the rear of each pad is secured a metallic strip, F F', the strip Fon one of the pads being slotted, as shown, and F' on the other padprovided with lips g, which embrace the sides of the strip F. The twostrips are secured together by means of a set-screw, G, and are capableof a longitudinal motion, one upon the other, for the purpose ofadjustment, the two being fastened in any position with respect\ to eachother by means of the setscrew.

The pad or pads are employed in connection with any convenienttruss-belt, being secured thereto by means of the set screw or screws D,which are inserted in button-holes at the ends of the truss-strap.

The operation of my improved truss will be readily understood inconnection with the above description.

The shell or shells being placed against the rupture and the belttightened around the body, the pad and shell are forced together by theyielding of the spring, and the shell pressed with a gentle and uniformforce against the body. The convex face of the pad forms a solid bearingfor the concave face of the shell, allowing the same to rock freelythereon without becoming misplaced, and with but little friction, thusenabling the truss to accommodate itself to the motions of the bodywithout any tendency whatever to slipping, which is a serious objectionto the ordinary pads, rendering frequent adj ustment necessary.

When the double pads are used, it is perceived that they can be readilyadjusted by means of the strips by means of which they are connectedtogether.

Besides the advantages, above described, derived from the peculiarconstruction of the pads, the truss may be worn over the under garmentsof the wearer as well as next to the D passing through the solid pad andsaid disk, substantially as and for the purpose described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand inthe presence of the subscribing witnesses.

ROBERT RANDOLPH JONES.

Witnesses -H. G. ROBERTSON, EMO. H. MERRIMON.

